Classic finish could mark end of several eras

NBA FINALS

Published 4:00 am, Thursday, June 17, 2010

From children on driveways to NBA veterans already adorned with championship jewelry, there is an appreciation of moments rare and special. There is anticipation of times like these.

It's Lakers. It's Celtics. It's Game 7. And somehow, it could be more.

"Historic, when you're talking about these organizations and these teams, what they stand for, the pride," Lakers forward Lamar Odom said. "This is what you envisioned when you were a kid playing in your backyard. This was what it was all about."

As if all the significance possible to be loaded on to one night of basketball had been piled on one winner-take-all game, tonight's championship game - just the third NBA Finals Game 7 in 22 years - could be remembered for more than deciding the 12th Finals between the NBA's greatest rivals.

The game could mark the end of an era. Lakers coach Phil Jackson remained non-committal about whether tonight's will be his final game. Already holding a record 10 championships as the coach of the Bulls and Lakers, on Tuesday, he passed Scotty Bowman for the most postseason wins in the history of American team sports.

"You know, I still get up and say this is probably the last time I'm ever going to do this," Jackson said. "I can't imagine myself going through this again. It's not only a lot of fun, but it's a lot of stress and pain and anxiety. But it's something you get acclimated to. It's like mothers giving birth. Somehow they do it again even though it's one of the most difficult things to ever do."

The game could also be the last for Celtics coach Doc Rivers, who will consider returning to Orlando to watch his children compete. The Celtics in general rely on 34-year-olds Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen. If fourth-seeded Boston wins, it will have had the toughest road to the championship since the sixth-seeded Rockets in 1995. The Celtics know better than most they cannot expect many more chances.

Perkins out: Kendrick Perkins' injured right knee will keep him out of Game 7. Rivers confirmed his starting center won't play after injuring the knee midway through the first quarter of Boston's Game 6 loss when he landed awkwardly. Perkins tore two ligaments in his knee, the center said. Rasheed Wallace or Glen Davis probably will start in his place.

Police warning: Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck issued a stern warning to anyone thinking of spoiling a potential celebration should the Lakers seize their 16th victory. "If you vandalize, if you graffiti, if you assault somebody in conjunction with one of these (celebrations), I take it personally," Beck said Wednesday.